Computers for Classrooms

Computers for Classrooms, Inc.(CFC) was founded in 1991 as an all-volunteer committee through the Chico Unified School District. In August of 2001 we incorporated and have received our 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the IRS. Our pledge has been to receive surplus computers, to refurbish and upgrade them using volunteer labor, and to supply them to public and private schools.

Since 2002 we have also dedicated our efforts to furnish computers to families. The benefits of having a home computer are many. High school students are 10% less likely to drop out of school, and are twice as likely to attend college if they have access to a home computer their senior year in high school.

California classrooms are ranked among the bottom three states when comparing the ratio of students to computers. California has 4.4 students for every computer. Our libraries have 100 students for every available computer. Many libraries have a 30 minute time limit after waiting in line. At CFC we want the students to be "on line" and not "in line". All students must have equal access to technology or the "digital divide" will continue to widen.

CFC through the Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher program (MAR) can make computers available for home use through qualifying organizations. Examples of those programs qualifying for MAR licenses include:

• Butte College EOPS (Extended Opportunity Program Services)
• School children qualifying for free or reduced price lunches
• Literacy programs through county libraries
• Migrant Education classes
• Foster agencies
• NonProfit agencies

If your organization would like to partner with CFC to bring home computers to your participants, please contact us to see if your members would qualify. Any program which can provide community access to those who are not able to get it would qualify. We hope to have a system of collecting money and distribution worked out so that we are not asked to work with individuals one at a time. The recipients can get a licensed, complete Pentium III system for $90 with Windows 2000 and Open Office or a Pentium III system with Windows XP and Office XP for $120. All systems have a 1 year warranty - to be repaired or replaced at our option for free when returned to our facility.

In the early years we serviced just the Chico Unified School District's 22 schools. As our program has grown we have placed computers in 33 different counties from Hollywood to the Oregon border. We recycle computers as well as refurbish them. All computers are triaged to see if they are acceptable for classroom or home use. Every effort is made to make use of all usable parts. All non-usable computers, monitors and accessories are recycled so that they do not end up in the landfill.

Note: the above content came directly from http://www.computersforclassrooms.org/Whatdo.htm and may not be under the Creative Commons license. If you would like to completely rewrite this page, that would be a tremendous help.

Comments

2009-04-13 12:21:23   CFC is an incredible organization. They make it possible for Chico Unified to have computers in every classroom and an abundance of them in some. Neal Dow wouldn't have dedicated smart board computers in every classroom if it weren't for them, therefor they've enabled Neal Dow to make every classroom into a smart room, beat that Chico State. —technkl

2009-12-20 17:00:43   Hello, Robert Wagener retired electronics teacher from Red Bluff High. Pat donated a full carload of computers for my class at no cost! Her help at that time was Leyroy! Many of my students were sent in new directions because of these gifts! Thank you Pat. My sister still has the one obtained from you and it still works! I have told many people on low income about this program. Thanks again, Bob Wagener —99.170.66.103